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Friday, 20 September 2013

Let's party like it's 1999

Yes Marky - so get that shirt off, the party's this way!

I'm obsessed with the idea of throwing a 90s party. I've been thinking about it for quite a while now and love planning it in my head, even though I have no idea when or how it will come to life. I've never been to a 90s party (er, except for lots of ones actually in the 90s), but I reckon it would be ace. Decades like the 20s, 60s, 70s and 80s have had a good monopoly on the party scene the last few decades, but now that enough time has passed I think the 90s is ready to step up and wave its glow stick.

I guess the reason I'm so keen on the idea is because the 90s was when I was a teenager and young adult - that golden period in your life when you're not really a kid anymore but you don't have all the responsibilities that come with being an adult yet. It was awesome when you think about it. Seeing your friends every day, listening to loads of music, going to parties and being introduced to bars and clubs. Good times.

My mythical 90s party will of course be totally themed - from the invites and decorations down to the food and essential dress code. Hmmm...body suit, choker necklace, Stussy pants and Reebok Pumps; or crop top, slap bracelet, Hypercolour hot pants and Doc Martens? So many choices. Perhaps I can let my mood ring decide.

The main reason for my party however, is definitely the music. The 90s was responsible for producing some timeless classics like Smells like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), Creep (Radiohead) and The Rockafella Skank (Fat Boy Slim) - but they're not the kind of tunes I'm talking about. When you think of 90s music who pops into your mind first: Alanis Morissette and Oasis, or Vanilla Ice and The KLF? You know it's the Ice Man and those crazy Justified Ancients of Mu Mu! Because when you think about 70s music does Billy Joel's Piano Man spring to mind? Or for the 80s, is it U2's Where the streets have no name that sums up the decade? No. Just because a song debuted in an era doesn't necessarily make it indicative of that time frame - even if it is a top tune. For me I'm all about the ones which have that typical cheesy 90s sound and vibe - so basically anything heavy on the synthesisers and bad backup dancers.

The music playlist therefore plays a very important role at my party. Not high on the priority list are timeless numbers as I mentioned before - i.e. songs that are actually really good and stand the test of time in any decade (ok a few can sneak in). And also out are songs which are kinda slow, because it's a party! - sorry Sinead, Mariah and Whitney. So what does that leave? Songs which make you want to get your groove on!

I may never hold my 90s party but I can have a virtual one! So here it is. A teeny tiny sample of some of the songs on my gigantic party playlist (in no particular order), which I feel unmistakably define the 90s - plus a couple of clips to get you in the mood!

3 comments:

Great list Suz, but I feel your party needs a bit of a shift in dynamic maybe introduce some Donnie W & Seiko, Bush (specifically Glycerine on repeat), and some Arrested Development for the socially conscious attendees. Informer will need to be played 3 - 5 times. Got my overalls on backwards in anticipation.